Bala, I now think that the zero-crossover start of an incandescent (sp?) bulb does more to prolong bulb life than any other means. I haven't done the math of this technique versus, say, Roman's 47R (240 V RMS mains) method and the moderating effect this has on the large inrush (surge) current that is blamed for early filament death, but I am pleased with the life I have seen to-date on one bulb whose longevity I have witnessed while under the lone, sole control of a wall-switch X10 module. Table lamps can sometimes get moved around and may not always have been under the control of an X10 module, but a wall/ceiling fixture and a wall-light switch normally aren't subject to rearrangement at will and the possible direct connection to the AC mains without an X10 control. So the wall/hallway fixture with it's corresponding long-lived bulb has been in a stable, controlled configuration for contiguous years now. Early on I didn't take notice that bulb life was improved, but in 20/20 retrospective hindsight that appears to be the case! Inspecting the schematic for the lamp module, it appears to be the same as the wall-switch module. Both modules appear to have the capability of sensing the zero volt crossover point - and that is key to doing zero-cross over turn-on (I state the obvious only for completeness sake!). Jim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bala Chandar" To: Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2001 11:05 PM Subject: Re: [EE]: Bulb Life, X-10 turn-on would seem to up life Hi Jim, Your theory sounds interesting! I have been using a lamp module (I modified it for the 240V in India) to control two 60W bulbs for the past one and a half years. I don't think there is significant difference between a lamp module and a wall switch module (both from X10) in terms of their circuitry to control an incandescent lamp. Do you think an X10 lamp module also will prolong the life of a bulb? Regards, Bala > -----Original Message----- > From: Jim [mailto:jvpoll@DALLAS.NET] > Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 12:18 AM > To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU > Subject: Re: [EE]: Bulb Life, X-10 turn-on would seem to up life > > Also, the fact that I've got a bulb with years on it > *yet* several cycles a day should also lend credence > to some method or mechanism in the X10 wall-switch module > that prevent a FULL 170 Volts peak from being applied > to a *cold* (amd low resistance) filament at random. > > Jim -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email listserv@mitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body